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Best AirPods in 2025: Which Apple Earbuds Should You Buy?
We ran the tests, you get the answers: the best AirPods revealed.
September 30, 2025
Adam is an Editor at SoundGuys specializing in gaming headsets, flagship headphones, and earbuds. A lifelong fan of video games and cinema, he brings a sharp ear and passion for immersive sound to every review. Beyond hardware, Adam writes thought-provoking features and opinion pieces that explore how audio tech shapes our lives. Armed with a BA in Cognitive Science, he pairs technical insight with a love for music’s psychological uplift. At home, he still rocks his original Sennheiser MOMENTUM over-ears, switches to Bose QuietComfort Ultra on flights, and relies on Galaxy Buds2 Pro while out and about.
Apple’s AirPods have become the go-to wireless earbuds for millions of people, thanks to their seamless pairing with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. They offer premium features like active noise cancellation and spatial audio, making them a favorite for an easy, reliable listening experience. With several models available and each looking nearly identical, picking the right pair can feel overwhelming. We’ve tested every AirPods model, and below you’ll find our results and recommendations based on real performance data.
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$249
7.6
6.5
9.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
5.0
9.0
7.2
7.5
7.0
- 6 total votes6 total votes
$499
7.4
6.8
8.8
7.8
6.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
8.5
7.9
8.5
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$200
7.2
4.2
8.2
8.0
6.5
7.0
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8.8
8.3
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$0
6.9
2.2
5.0
8.0
6.5
7.0
5.0
9.4
5.7
8.8
8.0
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$180
6.4
2.3
3.7
8.0
7.0
5.0
5.0
9.6
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4.5
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$129
6.2
2.3
0.0
8.0
7.0
5.0
5.0
9.6
6.4
8.7
4.5
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$169
5.3
0.6
0.0
7.0
5.0
4.0
5.0
9.0
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$99
5.1
0.8
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5.0
5.5
4.2
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Product chart
In the chart above, you can see how each of the headphones compares in terms of price and performance.
Here at SoundGuys, we’ve been testing audio products for over a decade. Our team comprises audio product experts who have tested hundreds of different headphones, earbuds, and speakers. Moreover, our team comes from diverse backgrounds and a wealth of expertise, including audio engineering, film production, journalism, podcasting, music production, and even touring musicians.
Everything we recommend results from our objective measurements and great subjective experiences. Ultimately, we want you to enjoy your purchase or, at the very least, leave our site with a little more knowledge about the inner workings of audio. To see why you can trust us with your purchase decision, make sure to check out our ethics policy.
At SoundGuys, we take a rigorous approach to testing AirPods, just as we do with every audio product. We evaluate performance in real-world scenarios, testing features like Bluetooth stability, ANC effectiveness, and overall sound quality. Each product undergoes standardized tests to measure battery life, frequency response, and isolation.
You can read more about our detailed testing process here: How We Test
Additionally, we compare AirPods to other leading audio devices in the market to ensure a balanced perspective. We don’t just rely on technical specifications; we use AirPods in daily environments to assess how they perform under typical use cases. This method helps us determine whether they truly live up to the hype.
For more on why and how we test, check out Why We Test
Poll
What feature matters most when choosing AirPods?
Videos
Best overall pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple AirPods Pro 3 pack more than just ANC — they combine heart rate monitoring, hearing-aid features and Live Translation alongside a redesigned fit that aims for a better seal. The foam-infused ear tips and deeper bulb help improve stability and ANC performance, though we saw occasional connection hiccups and a rare audio panning issue during our time with them. Their feature set makes them a strong fit for people already deep in the Apple ecosystem who want health, translation and accessibility tools in the same earbuds. The AirPods Pro 3 also earned Best ANC and Best Value recognition for how those features come together in one package.
Sourced from Apple AirPods Pro 3 review: Close to perfect.
Best Battery Life pick: Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max are Apple’s premium over-ears, built from stainless steel and aluminum with very deep, plush ear cups that drive comfort and effective isolation. They deliver class-leading noise canceling and a useful transparency mode, and in our testing they achieved around 20 hours (over 21 hours in one continuous test), which supports the battery life claim. The Max are heavy at 385 grams, but the headband engineering helps distribute weight so long sessions remain comfortable for many users. The headphones also earned recognition for Best for Comfort, Bluetooth 5.0 and more, and Best Over-Ear Headphones, though the included case offers limited protection compared with third-party alternatives.
Sourced from Apple AirPods Max review.
Best Sound Quality pick: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Apple AirPods Pro 2 step up with improved chipsets, Adaptive EQ and low-distortion drivers that give them notably strong timbre and clarity compared with prior models. They’re particularly tuned to benefit iPhone owners — features like Spatial Audio personalization and firmware updates rely on iOS — and can also function as a hearing-aid option for mild to moderate loss. Our testing finds them especially capable on sound metrics, and they also carry a Best for Android users badge even though their best feature set is accessed on Apple devices. Our MDAQS context further highlights their strengths in timbre and distortion on objective charts.
Sourced from Apple AirPods Pro 2 review.
Best Call Quality pick: Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation were singled out for call clarity, with badge rationale noting use of speech-focused codecs and on-device processing that reduces background noise during calls. The model adds ANC to an AirPods form factor, IP54 ingress protection, and intuitive pinch controls, and in lab testing they ran about 6 hours and 21 minutes of continuous playback on a single charge without ANC. Because these are essentially unsealed earbuds, ANC results can vary by ear shape, but their call pipeline and processing make them a strong choice if voice clarity is a priority.
Sourced from Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation review.
Our verdict
Within Apple’s lineup of wireless earbuds and headphones, the AirPods Pro 3 emerge as our most versatile pick: they combine advanced health and accessibility features with improved fit and reliable ANC, making them a go-to for users who want one device to do many things. The AirPods Max remain the top choice if you want over-ear comfort and long runtime — their build and deep ear cups support extended listening and better isolation. The AirPods Pro 2 are the sound-quality leaders for listeners in the Apple ecosystem, with Adaptive EQ and low distortion that show up in objective measures and our MDAQS context. The AirPods 4 with ANC are the best option here for call clarity, while their ANC performance is necessarily limited by the open fit of the design.
For shoppers considering the remaining Apple models: the standard AirPods 4 are the simplest, budget-focused option with the H2 chip and Apple ecosystem conveniences but no ear tips; the AirPods (3rd generation) offer a portable, tip-less design with Spatial Audio and skin-detect auto-pause; and the original AirPods Pro (1st generation) still deliver secure fit, IPX4 sweat resistance and effective ANC for iPhone users who want a proven gym-friendly option. Each product fits a distinct role within Apple’s wireless earbuds and headphones family, so choose based on whether you prioritize ecosystem features, sound tuning, call performance, or over-ear comfort.
FAQ
Yes, especially if you’re in the Apple ecosystem. AirPods pair instantly with iPhones, iPads, and Macs, switch devices automatically, and support features like Siri integration and spatial audio. If you don’t use Apple devices, other brands may offer better value.
Yes. AirPods Pro offer more features than the regular models, including active noise cancellation, a snug in-ear fit with silicone tips, and richer sound. Standard AirPods are still a good choice if you want something lighter and more affordable, but they don’t block outside noise or fit as securely.
Yes, you can use AirPods with an Android phone, but expect to lose many of their key features. Because Android devices can’t fully leverage Apple’s proprietary H1/H2 chips, you’ll be missing out on things like spatial audio, automatic device switching, the ear tip fit test, battery life optimization features (like auto ear detection), and control customization.
- Audio may feel less refined — you lose the automatic EQ adjustment and tuning that adapts to your ears.
- Battery life can suffer — features like automatic pause or one-bud mode that save power on iOS don’t work on Android.
- Feature limitations — things like Find My integration, conversation boost, or automatic device switching simply won’t function.
So while AirPods technically work with Android, they end up being a “less complete” product in that environment.
Read our related article: Don't use Airpods on Android
They support SBC and AAC only. They do not support higher-quality codecs like aptX or LDAC.
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